Space Transportation SystemsH-IIA Launch Vehicle

Project Topics

The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 37 with the Global Changing Observation Mission - Climate "SHIKISAI" (GCOM-C) and the Super Low Altitude Test Satellite "TSUBAME" (SLATS) onboard lifted off at 10:26:22 a.m. on December 23, 2017 (Japan Standard Time) from the Tanegashima Space Center. The launch and flight of H-IIA F37 proceeded as planned. So did the separation of SHIKISAI and TSUBAME, which was confirmed respectively at approximately 16 minutes and 13 seconds and 1 hour and 47 minutes 59 seconds ...

About H-IIA Launch Vehicle

Leading edge, efficient and economical technology Japanese main large-scale launch vehicle, H-IIA

H-IIA, Japan?s primary large-scale launch vehicle, is designed to meet diverse launch demands, at lower cost and with a high degree of reliability, by making the best use of the H-II launch-vehicle technology. The simplified design and improved efficiency of the manufacturing and launch processes of H-IIA have achieved one of the highest performance to cost ratio of launch system in the world, reducing the cost of launches by a half or more. H-IIA launch service operations have been transferred to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, LTD. ahead of the launch of H-IIA Flight 13. JAXA is in charge of launch safety management (including ground safety confirmation, flight safety assurance, and overall countdown control and supervision.)

JAXA is conducting the H-IIA upgrade project to improve the H-IIA launch capability and its global competitiveness.

H-IIA Lineup

H-IIA Launch Vehicle can be in various configurations by installing solid rocket boosters (SRB-As) additionally. H-IIA can answer various launch needs of payload size and weight by its family members.

* Currently, only H2A202 and H2A204 types are in operation.

Upgrading JAXA's flagship launch vehicle

JAXA is proud of the launch success rate of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle, which is among the highest levels in the world. However, as it has been 14 years since its maiden launch, some issues have been raised such as the aging launch facility and the need for a larger payload launch capacity. JAXA is conducting the H-IIA upgrade project to tackle those issues. We will achieve more efficient launch vehicle operations by improving H-IIA launch capability and its global competitiveness, and simplifying the ground facility.

H-IIA Upgrade Project

Improved function and performance

(1) Enhanced launch capacity of a geostationary satellite By increasing the duration of flight time and the number of engine ignitions, more flexible flight patterns become possible, and the launch capability of a geostationary satellite is also increased.

(2) Easing the onboard environmental restriction for payloads The onboard environment has been improved for payloads to among the highest levels in the world by adopting a mechanism that is not based on pyrotechnics.